Mayor Emanuel Names Carina Sanchez New Public Building Commission Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/10/2017
Mayor’s Press Office, (312) 744-3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today named Carina Sanchez the Executive Director of the Public Building Commission (PBC). Felicia Davis, the current PBC Executive Director, is stepping down to pursue other professional endeavors.

“Carina Sanchez has worked tirelessly to serve the people of Chicago and I look forward to watching her continue that commitment at the Public Building Commission,” Mayor Emanuel said. “I thank Felicia Davis for her leadership and service to the PBC, and I am confident that Carina is the perfect fit to continue the progress made in increasing the diversity of our workforce and the quality of our projects.”

Sanchez is currently the Deputy Clerk for the Office of the Chicago City Clerk, a position she has held since 2012. Previously, she has held various outreach, external affairs and government administration positions within the offices of the Cook County Board President, the Illinois Treasurer, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and various other government agencies.

“As a native Chicagoan, I am honored to have an opportunity to continue to work on behalf of the City that has given my family and me so much,” Sanchez said. “The Public Building Commission plays a critical role in the construction of the places that define our communities, such as our schools, libraries and recreation centers. As the parent of a Chicago Public School student, I feel a very personal commitment to my new position and I am humbled and honored that Mayor Emanuel has entrusted me with this responsibility.”

As Deputy Clerk, Sanchez manages approximately 100 employees and a $10 million operating budget that generates approximately $150 million in revenue for the City. In this role, she has overseen and managed the historic transition from seasonal sales of Chicago Vehicle Stickers to a year-round sales program, which has brought $35 million in new revenue.

In her role as Executive Director of the PBC, Sanchez will oversee construction and renovation projects for the city of Chicago and its sister agencies, including the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago. Sanchez will begin serving as executive director in February, pending approval by the PBC Board of Commissioners.

Davis has served as the PBC’s Executive Director since 2015. In her tenure at the PBC, she has focused on streamlining the Commission’s operations and increasing support for women- and minority-owned businesses and small businesses across Chicago. She led the drive to revise the PBC’s construction contract Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation goals from 24 percent to 26 percent for MBE’s and from 4 percent to 6 percent for WBEs. She has also completed dozens of capital projects for the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago Public Libraries.

“In March 2011, when Mayor Emanuel asked, I answered the call to join his administration and I’ve never looked back,” Davis said. “I’ve enjoyed working for the residents of Chicago each day, and I appreciate the Mayor’s leadership and his willingness to tackle the big problems.”

Davis’ career in public service spans more than two decades. Prior to her service at the PBC, Davis served as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and previously was first Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement. Davis also served as the First Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Emanuel from May 2011 to June 2012. She served as a member of the Mayoral Transition Team and Chair the Public Safety Committee in 2011. Before returning to public service, Davis served as the Vice President of Administration at Kendall College. Prior to Kendall College, Davis served the Chicago Police Department with distinction for 10 years. She worked in many roles at CPD, completing her law enforcement career as a Detective in the Department’s Violent Crimes section, where she also oversaw the Community Policing Strategies.

Davis’ final PBC Board meeting will be January 10, 2017.

 

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